The substance has been saved, but not the form. As a result, the readability of the treaty has been diminished. Giscard d'Estaing concluded that the mandate now needs to be implemented correctly and swiftly.
Jean Luc Dehaene (EPP-ED, BE), member of the Constitutional Affairs Committee, agrees entirely with these conclusions. Dehaene emphasizes that for the Convention, perception was also of great importance: "With the Convention we drafted a treaty with a constitutional content and form. Now we have a treaty with a constitutional content without the form. But both are a treaty and neither is a constitution. The ambiguous use of words has led to misunderstandings. The third part should have been a separate, secondary treaty, but in the Convention this could not be achieved."
Jean-Luc Dehaene says that Europe will never go forward by referendum. "It is up to the political leaders to realise the wishes of the citizens. And from the European polls it is clear citizens want more Europe. Leading is showing the way, not following."
For more information:
Jean-Luc Dehaene MEP, Tel.: +32-2-284-7867
Greet Gysen, EPP-ED-press service: Tel.: +32-497-028054
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